A few blogs ago (July 9, 2023, The Best Teacher) we discussed how we know what to believe about Christianity given all the different denominational beliefs and the interpretations of the Bible. The Holy Spirit, as we discussed, is the best guide but the Bible also tells us we have another guide.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2 ESV). Also see 1 Thessalonians 5:21 and 1 John 4:1.
To test is “the means by which the presence, quality, or genuineness of anything is determined”. Paul tells us that by testing we can discern the will of God and know what is good, acceptable, and perfect. “The word [testing] used here dokimazoo is commonly applied to metals, to the operation of testing, or trying them by the severity of fire, etc. Hence, it also means to explore investigate, ascertain.” [1]
Our relationship with God is a cooperative venture. While the Holy Spirit will guide us, it is up to us to test what we have been taught and what we learn about God’s will. And that is what we have been doing in this blog. Asking questions about our faith is one means of testing.
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[1] Barnes’ Notes, Electronic Database Copyright © 1997, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.
